Vibratory pile feeder

ABSTRACT

A feeder for objects uses a vibratory element bearing a pile material having parallel bristles inclined in the direction of feed. The tips of the bristles engage and resiliently support objects to be fed, and the inclination of the bristles establishes the direction of feed as the element is vibrated.

United States Patent Mead 1 June 6, 1972 s41 VIBRATORY PILE FEEDERFOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [72] Inventor: Dennis E. Mead,Cazenovia, NY. 13035 78,294 [0/ 1954 Denmark ..46/ 1 C Filed: Jan- 21970 434,797 8/1935 Great Britain ..46/1 C [21] Appl. No.: 273 PrimaryExaminer-Even C. Blunk Assistant Examiner-H. S. Lane Attorney-Cumpston,Shaw & Stephens [52] US. Cl. 198/220 BA [51] Int. Cl ..B65g 27/00 57ABSTRACT [58] Field of Search ..198/220 BA, 220 BC; 46/1 C A feeder forobjects uses a vibratory element bearing a pile [56] References citedmaterial having parallel bristles inclined in the direction of feed. Thetips of the bristles engage and resiliently support ob- UNlTED STATESPATENTS jects to be fed, and the inclination of the bristles establishesthe direction of feed as the element is vibrated. 1,601,247 9/1926Garbarini ..46/1 C 2,256,700 9/1941 Armstrong 198/220 B 3 Claim, 11Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUH 1912 3. 667, 590

FIG. 3

FIG-

FIG. I!

DENNIS E- MEAD INVENTOR FIG. 10

AT TORNEYS VIBRATORY PILE FEEDER THE IMPROVEMENT EFFEC'I'ED Increasingautomation requires almost limitless feeding, conveying, moving,orienting, and handling of a variety of objects and parts. Manysuggestions have been made for equipment to accomplish the necessaryfunctions, but such equipment has generally been complex and expensive,and has fallen far short of the ideal. The present invention seeks asimple, economical, reliable, and efficient feeder that is versatile inhandling a variety of objects and accomplishing many motions andfunctions and is also easy to maintain, not likely to damage objectsbeing fed, or cause jamming or blocking.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention uses a vibratory elementextending in the direction of feed, and the element carries a pilematerial having generally parallel, resilient bristles that are denseenough and strong enough so their tips support objects to be fed. Thebristles are inclined toward the direction of feed so that objectsproceed in the feed directions as the element is vibrated. Drawings:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary and partially schematic perspecu've view of afeeder according to the invention;

FIGS. 2 4 are partial, fragmentary views of difierent pileconfigurations for the inventive feeder;

FIGS. 5 7 are schematic, fragmentary, elevational views of alternativearrangements according to the invention;

FIGS. 8- l l are enlarged, fragmentary, elevational views of alternativepile arrangements for the inventive feeder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION:

As shown in FIG. 1, a simplified, schematic feeder 10 includes anelement 11 extending in the direction of feed indicated by the arrow anda vibrator or motor 12 for vibrating element 11. A pile materialincluding a backing material 13 and pile bristles 14 is secured toelement 11 to support and feed objects 15 carried along on the tips ofbristles 14. Bristles 14 are inclined as illustrated toward thedirection of feed as represented by the arrow so that objects 15 proceedin the direction of the arrow as element 1 1 is vibrated.

Bristles 14 are somewhat resilient and yield slightly under the weightof objects 15. The inclination of bristles 14 toward the direction offeed gives them a grain or direction resisting any motion of objects 15against the grain and encouraging the motion of objects 15 in thedirection of feed. Bristles l4 brace in one direction and bend or yieldin the other direction; they present a dense array of braced bristletips resisting movement of objects 15 against the direction of feed andbending or yielding tips encouraging motion of objects 15 in thedirection of feed. This produces steady and rapid motion of objects 15in the direction of inclination of bristles 14 as indicated by the arrowwhen element 1 l is vibrated.

Vibratory element 11 can form a part of many object feeding andorienting devices such as part feeders, conveyors, and devices forsorting, turning, aligning, rotating, tumbling, elevating, lowering,orienting, switching, mixing, dispersing, grouping or feeding objects orparts. As such, element 11 can have innumerable shapes including plane,troughed tubular, sloped and many others.

Vibrator motor 12 can be any of a number of vibratory devices. It ispreferably electrically driven, and several suitable vibrators havealready been suggested. The amplitude and frequency of vibrator 12 ispreferably adjusted to specific feeding operations, and the powerrequirements for vibrator 12 are determined by the volume and mass ofobjects 15 to be fed and the particular feeding operation to beperformed.

Vibrator 12 can be operated in many different vibratory modes toaccomplish feeding of objects 15 within the spirit of the invention. Thevibrator motion applied to element 11 by vibrator 12 can be linearlyreciprocal, circular, elliptical, square, symmetrical, or asymmetrical.The motion of element 11 can be faster in one direction than in another,or otherwise adjusted to specific feeding functions.

The motion applied to element 11 by vibrator 12 can be in many differentplanes, or can be a motion that is not confined to a single plane.Vibration in a vertical plane works quite well, and the plane ofvibration can be satisfactorily inclined anywhere from vertical tohorizontal, preferably in the quadrant including or similar to theinclination angle of bristles 14. The least satisfactory vibrationalmodes are those that are perpendicular to the inclination angle ofbristles 14 either transverse to the direction of feed or in the planeof the direction of feed. Depending upon the feeding function desired,it is possible to select a vibratory mode having components or vectorsextending in the proper direction to get the desired feed of objects 15.

Backing 13 supporting bristles 14 can be formed in several ways of manymaterials. Backing 13 can be a woven fabric material into which bristles14 are woven, but backing 13 could also be a variety of sheet or slabmaterials, and bristles 14 can be secured to backing 13 in manygenerally known ways. For example, bristles 14 can be molded into anelastomeric material so that they are resiliently supported by suchmaterial. Bristles can also be molded into or otherwise supported by arigid backing material 13.

File bristles 14 can also be formed of many materials, bristles 14 arepreferably formed of a synthetic, monofrlament resin material such asnylon, but many different resins and other materials are suitable forpile 14, including organic filaments and metallic wire. The optimummaterial for bristles 14 depends in part on the size, weight, shape andmaterial of the objects 15 to be fed. Also, friction, resilience, wearand the vibratory motion desired are considered.

Bristles 14 are sufficiently dense and strong to support the intendedobjects 15 on the tips of the bristles without the objects l5 crushingor sinking into bristles l4 deeply enough to bend bristles 14 downwardand engage the side surfaces of bristles 14 rather than the tips. Thestiffness and strength of bristles 14 is related to their density and/orlength in detennining what objects 15 can be supported on the bristletips. Bristles 14 are also resilient relative to objects 15 so theyyield slightly under the weight of objects 15.

Bristles 14 are preferably of uniform length or arranged so their tipslie in a common curved or plane surface. Bristles 14 are preferably ofuniform thickness throughout their length but they can taper toward tipsso long as the tips are capable of supporting objects 15. The tips ofbristles 14 can be either sharp or blunt, and are preferably formed by acutting operation. Thus tips 16 of bristles 14 of FIG. 9 are square-cutto form a multitude of tip surfaces inclined toward the direction offeed. Tips 17 of bristles 14 of FIG. 10 are cut ofi in the plane of thesurface common to the bristle tips to present a multitude of flat-toppedtips 17 co-planar with the surface of the pile material and thedirection of feed. The tips 18 of bristles 14 of FIG. 11 are cutobliquely to form sharpened points aimed in the direction of feed toafford many fine points resisting rearward motion of objects 15 andyielding inclines to encourage the advancement of objects 15 in thedirection of the arrow.

The inclination of bristles 14 is in the direction of intended feed ofobjects 15. For a horizontal direction of feed such as illustrated inFIG. 1, bristles 14 are inclined from the vertical toward the directionof feed. Hence, for an inclined uphill direction of feed, bristles 14could be vertical. The angle of bristle inclination varies with theparticular feeding function and the vibratory mode. Vibration motionshaving strong components in the direction of feed tend to require lessbristle inclination. Also, the direction of feed need not be linear asillustrated, but can be curved, circular, zig-zag, or have any otherdesired path. Several directions of feed can be used in a single feedingdevice with the inclination of bristles 14 relative to changingdirections of feed adjusted locally along the feed path.

Objects 15 can be anything that can be supported by bristles 14 forfeeding. Objects 15 must not be so small as to drop between bristles 14,or so heavy as to crush bristles 14 down to the point that the objectcarmot be fed. Otherwise, innumerable parts, objects and materials canbe fed without damage or obstruction according to the invention.

Some of the possible alternatives in the inventive feeder areillustrated in FIGS. 2 8. FIG. 2 shows a feeder surface divided intothree regions 20 22 with bristles l4 inclined in region 20 for feedingobjects in the direction of the arrow. Side regions 21 and 22 haverespective bristles 23 and 24 inclined toward region 20 so that objectsstraying to the side from region 20 are directed back onto region 20 bybristles 23 or 24. The boundaries between regions 20-22 can be shapedfor turning, steering or orienting objects fed along the main directionof feed. The material fon'ning regions 20 22 can be of three separatepieces joined together, or a single integral piece with bristles 14, 23and 24 set at the desired respective angles. The device of FIG. 2 iseffective as a conveyor path with regions 21 and 22 serving as siderails keeping objects on the path.

FIG. 3 shows a feeding device having a feeding surface 25 formed as ashallow trough made by cutting bristles 26 at different heights so thattheir tips all lie in the curved surface 25. Longer bristles 26 arearranged along the edge of the device and shorter bristles along thecenter so gravity tends to channel objects along the central path ofsurface 25 so they will not spill over the side edges.

FIG. 4 shows a feeding device having a trough-shaped feed surface 27formed by cupping pile material 28 into a trough so bristles 29 whichare of uniform length have all their tips lying in the curved surface27. This feeder has a similar troughing effect to the feeder of FIG. 3.

Pile material 30 of the device of FIG. is formed into a cylindrical tubewith bristles 31 inclined upward above the horizontal so that acylindrical object 32 is fed vertically through the tube as the tube isvibrated. Such tubing with bristles 31 inclining into its interior canbe used as a vibratory pipe for pumping objects 32 along any desiredfeed path. I

Pile material 33 of FIG. 6 has relatively short, stiff bristles 34inclined to the right and supporting object 35 on their tips for motionto the right as indicated by the arrow. Relatively weaker and longerbristles 36 are interspersed with bristles 34 and inclined to the leftto support lightweight objects 37 on their tips for motion to the leftas indicated by the arrow. Object 37 is light enough so it does not sinkdown through bristles 36 and engage the tips of stiffer bristles 34below. Hence, vibration of pile material 33 carries light object 37 tothe left, and heavier object 35 compresses and sinks through lightbristles 36 and rests on the tips of stiff bristles 34 to be moved tothe right under the influence of bristles 34. Thus, pile material 33serves as a separator or switch diverting one class of objects in onedirection and another class in another direction.

Pile material 38 of FIG. 7 has a porous base material 39 arranged over acontainer 30 into which fluid is pumped to be forced up through base 39and between bristles 41 of pile material 38. The fluid from container 40can act as a cleaner, polisher, coating or painting material or serveany other purpose desired. Object 42in passing over pile material 38 canbe coated with fluid from contain er 40.

The pile material illustrated in FIG. 8 is also a fluid transmittingmaterial. A base material 43 is pierced by hollow bristles 44 thatextend down below base 43 into a sponge material 45 or a fluidreservoir. Fluid forced up into sponge material 45 travels up throughthe hollows in bristles 44 to transmit fluid upward to the tips ofbristles 44 where it is coated on or directed against an object beingfed across the tips.

Many other arrangements are possible for transmitting fluid through apile material to coat or clean an object being fed.

Also, such a fluid can function to clean the pile itself by constantlyflushing the bristles. Both objects and pile could be cleaned by thesame fluid. Also, if no fluid is used, the inventive pile materialinherently brushes, wipes, or cleans objects passing over it. Theillustrated variations are only a few of the possibilities availablewithin the basic vibratory pile feeder concept. j

Persons wishing to practice the invention should remember that otherembodiments and variations can be adapted to particular circumstances.Even though one point of view is necessarily chosen in describing anddefining the invention, this should not inhibit broader or relatedembodiments going beyond the semantic orientation of this applicationbut falling within the spirit of the invention. For example, manymaterials, configurations and variations of the invention can be used,and many particular feeding situations can be met with variations in thebasic idea.

I claim:

1. A vibratory feeder comprising:

a. an element extending in the direction of feed;

b. means for vibrating said element;

c. pile material carried on said element;

d. said pile material having generally parallel bristles;

c. said bristles being dense enough and strong enough so that the tipsof said bristles support objects to be fed;

f. said bristles being resilient relative to said objects to be fed;

g. said bristles being inclined toward said direction of feed;

h. said pile material including other generally parallel bristles havingan inclination different from said direction of feed;

i. said other bristles being interspersed with said feeding bristlesinclined in said direction of feed, and said other bristles are tallerand less stiff than said feeding bristles so said other bristlesestablish another direction of feed for lighter objects supported on thetips of said feeding bristles proceeding in said direction of feed.

2. A vibratory feeder comprising:

a. an element extending in the direction of feed;

b. means for vibrating said element;

c. pile material carried on said element;

d. said pile material having generally parallel bristles;

e. said bristles being dense enough and strong enough so the tips ofsaid bristles support objects to be fed;

f. said bristles being resilient relative to said objects to be fed;

g. said bristles being inclined toward said direction of feed;

h. said pile material including a porous fabric backing; and

i. fluid dispersing means for sending fluids to said fabric backingmaterial and into the region of said bristles.

3. A vibratory feeder comprising:

a. an element extending in the direction of feed;

b. means for vibrating said element;

c. pile material carried on said element;

d. said pile material having generally parallel bristles;

e. said bristles being dense enough and strong enough so the tips ofsaid bristles support objects to be fed;

f. said bristles being resilient relative to said objects to be fed;

g. said bristles being inclined toward said direction of feed;

h. said pile material including a backing material;

i. said bristles being hollow and extending through said backingmaterial; and

j. fluid dispersing means arranged for sending fluid through said hollowbristles.

1. A vibratory feeder comprising: a. an element extending in thedirection of feed; b. means for vibrating said element; c. pile materialcarried on said element; d. said pile material having generally parallelbristles; e. said bristles being dense enough and strong enough so thatthe tips of said bristles support objects to be fed; f. said bristlesbeing resilient relative to said objects to be fed; g. said bristlesbeing inclined toward said direction of feed; h. said pile materialincluding other generally parallel bristles having an inclinationdifferent from said direction of feed; i. said other bristles beinginterspersed with said feeding bristles inclined in said direction offeed, and said other bristles are taller and less stiff than saidfeeding bristles so said other bristles establish another direction offeed for lighter objects supported on the tips of said feeding bristlesproceeding in said direction of feed.
 2. A vibratory feeder comprising:a. an element extending in the direction of feed; b. means for vibratingsaid element; c. pile material carried on said element; d. said pilematerial having generally parallel bristles; e. said bristles beingdense enough and strong enough so the tips of said bristles supportobjects to be fed; f. said bristles being resilient relative to saidobjects to be fed; g. said bristles being inclined toward said directionof feed; h. said pile material including a porous fabric backing; and i.fluid dispersing means for sending fluids to said fabric backingmaterial and into the region of said bristles.
 3. A vibratory feedercomprising: a. an element extending in the direction of feed; b. meansfor vibrating said element; c. pile material carried on said element; d.said pile material having generally parallel bristles; e. said bristlesbeing dense eNough and strong enough so the tips of said bristlessupport objects to be fed; f. said bristles being resilient relative tosaid objects to be fed; g. said bristles being inclined toward saiddirection of feed; h. said pile material including a backing material;i. said bristles being hollow and extending through said backingmaterial; and j. fluid dispersing means arranged for sending fluidthrough said hollow bristles.